Early morning walk BH Monday 7.30-8.30. Took Greenbooth Road from Norden, walked past Dr Dam, up the steep dam at Greenbooth and then over the fields to Woodhouse Lane. Not much around really. Grey Heron on fishing platform at Dr Dam along with 1 female mallard. Usual tit flocks in wood up to Greenbooth. Gull flocks on sand banking ar Greenbooth (presumably Black Headed but couldnt make them out without spotting scope). Lots of Swifts in fields near Woodhouse Lane and a Jay in tree at bottom of Woodhouse Lane

No sign of the male Redstart in the tree although it did contain a Spotted Flycatcher. A female Redstart was seen in a different part of the valley. 4 probably 5 Whinchats were present, a party of at least three together foraging off a stone wall on the western side of Naden Middle Reservoir. A male was in another part of the valley. 9 Stonechat - a gathering of 5 immatures in varying plumages were in close proximity to the party of 3, possibly 4 Whinchat and an obvious family party of 4 Stonechat were in another part of the valley. Also 2 Wheatear and a juvenile Robin were seen. A family party of Goldfinch, including recently fledged begging young, were in one of the plantations. A pair of Linnets, a group of 8 juvenile Pied Wagtails, a Kestrel, several Reed Buntings and Willow Warblers seemingly in almost every patch of bracken! 16 Canada Geese and a single Common Gull was amongst the Black-headed.

First visit to this area. A really beautiful valley but a quite enormous and challenging area to cover for birdwatching! Parked in Wolstenholme Fold walked past Doctor Dam and up the east side of Greenbooth Res. to the top end of Naden Lower Res.

Highlight was a good showing by a male Redstart foraging from a hawthorn tree next to a brick outbuilding near the Water Works House on the east side of Naden Lower res.

Also in the same area Blackbird carrying food, Chaffinch carrying food, Willow Warbler carrying food and a single fledged juvenile also seen. Plus Raven, Sparrowhawk, c40 Goldfinch, 2 Linnet, family party of Reed Buntings, juvenile Stonechat. Green Woodpecker also heard here and near Doctor Dam. Nuthatch near Doctor Dam as well as a family party of Greenfinch. 3 Coal Tit, 1 Goldcrest, a few Meadow Pipits, c55 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Cormorant and c20 Mallard on Greenbooth Res.

Cheers,

Bill.

-- Edited by Bill Myerscough on Sunday 15th of August 2010 12:46:19 PM

In the last 4- 6 weeks hundreds of 'whips' planted on the sides of the valley in bracken beds, between rushes and on the higher moor as it falls to the valley. Many planted on ground where wolves must have passed since the last tree fell. I presume this has been done under the auspices of United Utilities. Wouldn't it be nice to think they have taken best advice on tree species used ref soil, location and environment - and the fact that this is South Pennine moorland edge.